Imagine the profound heartbreak and powerlessness that accompany having your own children taken away under unjust circumstances. This is the harsh reality that I, and countless others, are forced to endure due to the failures and potential misconduct within the Burke County Child Protective Services (CPS). My personal nightmare began when a CPS worker visited my home, supposedly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of my children. However, the situation appallingly escalated into the worker themselves inflicting harm on my oldest child by inappropriately touching her. Despite bringing this distressing incident to light, instead of accountability, what I received was retaliation: the removal of my kids without explanation, transparency, or due process. Adding to this anguish is the fact that Burke County CPS now refuses to disclose even the location of my children. This unbearable silence is not only isolating me from my kids but also serves as a chilling cover-up for the unacceptable actions of their intake worker. This pattern of negligence and lack of transparency is not just my isolated experience. Across the county and perhaps beyond, families are suffering at the hands of a system that seems to prioritize protecting its own over the children it is supposed to defend. The consequences are profound, affecting countless children traumatized by unnecessary separations from their families. We demand an immediate investigation into Burke County CPS by an independent body to ensure objectivity and accountability. Such an investigation should specifically address the allegations of misconduct by its workers, and the seemingly routine lack of transparency in their processes. Moreover, our call for reform demands that Child Protective Services be restructured to prioritize the safety, rights, and wellbeing of both the children and their families, preventing future harm and tragedy. Children deserve a protective system that truly safeguards them, rather than the perpetrators of negligence and assault. Help bring justice and transparency by signing this petition and promoting reform in Burke County CPS for the wellbeing of our children and families. Your signature can be the catalyst for meaningful change and ensure that no other family has to suffer without recourse or hope.